Page 69 of The Scenic Route
“Not yet, but we have a plan. A good old-fashioned fake contest win.”
“Ooh, I love those,” Charlie enthused. “An oldie but goodie that works shockingly often. Is the ‘we’ part your PI?”
Glad that her sister didn’t call Bennett her stalker, as usual,Felicity said, “Yes, although the ‘we’ also includes four ladies in the local murder club.”
There was a beat of silence before Charlie spoke, and Felicity mentally gave herself five points in the shock-Charlie game. “Murder club? Do I need to visit this town? Because I think I’d like it.”
“You’d fit right in,” Felicity said, meaning every word. “Plus the murder club members are enthusiastic, helpful, and surprisingly practical.”
“I want a murder club,” Charlie moaned dramatically. “Or a bounty-hunting club, actually. Mom’s running me in circles again.”
A spark of guilt lit in Felicity’s chest. “You need help? Because I don’t think Dino’s going anywhere. We can plan our sting for next week.”
“Nope,” Charlie said. “No sense in you being stuck driving through Nebraska too.”
“Oh, Charlie, no,” Felicity said with true sympathy. “NotNebraska. What happened to hanging out in Colorado Springs?”
“That was my fault.” Charlie sounded abashed. “Zach spotted me surveilling them because I got bored and sloppy.”
“Done that.” It made Felicity feel a little better that her sister wasn’t a perfect bounty hunter either. “So they ran?”
“They ran.” Charlie sighed. “Straight through Nebraska.”
“Where’re they headed? East Coast?” Although she mentally flipped through all her mom’s connections, Felicity couldn’t think of any on the east side of the Mississippi River.
“Who knows?” Charlie said gloomily. “East Coast, Iowa. Maybe she’ll circle around through Dakota again.”
Charlie’s insistence on combining the two states into one generic Dakota made Felicity smile. As many phone chargers as Charlie lost, Felicity still loved her sister.
“Good luck,” Felicity said warmly. “Let me know if you need backup. Love you.”
“Same, same, Fifi.”
Once she ended the call, Felicity put her phone on the nightstand and then leaned over Bennett. Although he stayed on his back, his arms crossed behind his head, every muscle in his body was taut as he met her hungry gaze. Reaching up, she pulled off the band holding her hair coiled in a bun at her nape, and the heavy strands tumbled over her shoulders, the feathery tips brushing his chest.
When she turned her head, sliding her hair over his skin, he grunted low as if she’d punched him in the gut. Smiling, she moved her head again. Scooting down, she allowed her hair to trail across his belly and lower. He tensed even more, his muscles standing out in bold relief, his skin almost quivering with anticipation.
Her phone rang again.
All the air rushing out of her lungs, Felicity crumpled forward, resting her forehead against his chest. His big hand swept over her bare back, testing her resolve.
“I have to get it,” she groaned more to herself than Bennett. She knew that he understood, but her needful body sure didn’t.
Reaching over with his long arm, he nabbed her ringing phone and held it out to her, his eyes still burning with need but also wryly affectionate.
“Thanks,” she said flatly, making him smile.
“Molly!” she answered with grim enthusiasm. “What’s up?”
***
Bennett’s mouth on her belly woke Felicity.
When she lifted her head to look at him, he gave her a wicked smile before wedging his head between her thighs. He kissed and licked, obviously paying close attention to when her breath caught or goose bumps rose on her skin. His complete focus on her pleasure, as if his life depended on how hard he made her come, sent her flying quickly, her fingers gripping fistfuls of the sheet beneath her.
Afterward, her body went limp as she sucked in air, trying to orient herself in time and space. Bennett lazily kissed her thighs as she recovered before making his way over her belly and to her breasts, where he lingered, keeping everything light enough to not overwhelm her overstimulated skin.
“Good morning.” Her voice was husky as she ran her fingers through his mop of silky hair.
